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SAN FRANCISCO – It was a scenario the Giants wanted — the 49ers got almost no offense from their workhorse running back Frank Gore, which meant that their offense was forced to rely primarily on the arm and feet of quarterback Alex Smith.

But instead of the Giants celebrating the win, it was Smith — who finished 19-of-30 for 242 yards with one touchdown and one interception — and Gore in the victorious post-game locker room after a 27-20 win at Candlestick Park. And Gore, who barely played in the second half because of a knee injury, didn’t seem the least bit bothered by his anemic day rushing.

When informed he had zero yards on six carries, he laughed and said, “Their main focus was to come in and stop me. They did a great job — they are a great team. The important thing is that we got the win.”

Despite the Gore no-show, the Giants defense could only hold down the 49ers offense for three quarters. Smith and Gore’s replacement, running back Kendall Hunter, came alive in the fourth quarter.

Gore, who was listed as probably prior to the game because of a sprained ankle, came in having run for more than 100 yards in five consecutive games.

But after struggling through the first half, it was announced midway through the third quarter that Gore had a knee injury (of unknown severity) and his return was questionable. He surfaced for a few plays on the next 49ers drive but was a non-factor. He was on the sideline in the fourth quarter.

With Gore gone, the onus fell on Smith, which was just what the Giants ordered. Earlier in the week, there were not-so-subtle indications coming from the Giants camp that Smith was playing above his ability this season, that he was tasked with “managing” games instead of winning them.

“He’s a guy that they’re trying to keep out of the position of having to win the football game,’’ Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said earlier in the week.

As it turned out for the 49ers, Smith and the 49ers offense did just enough to squeak out the victory. Smith connected on a go-ahead, 31-yard touchdown pass to tight end Vernon Davis early in the fourth quarter, and the 49ers got a nifty 17-yard touchdown run by Hunter after a Giants turnover for a 27-13 lead with 12:21 to play in the fourth quarter.

“I just saw the one that I got called a manager or whatever and this and that,” Smith said. “I could really care less, honestly. That is the honest truth. It feels good to be 8-1. I managed myself into a victory. That’s all I care about.”